Friday night saw the Canberra Poetry Slam host Jazz Slam! A poetry and swing fusion conceptualised by regular host The Flying V (or The Swinging V... but i think that might be an adult site...) The night featured the jazz stylings of Canberran three piece the Kooky Fandango, and feature poet Andrew Galan. Both acts proved very capable of pulling a crowd, with poetry and music enthusiasts taking all available space in the venue (The Front Gallery and Cafe).
I was co-hosting and facilitating, the competitors providing a tightly packed range of scores. Two of Canberra Poetry Slam's most lauded poets took out first and second prize, being CJ Bowerbird and last years National Poetry Slam representative, Miranda Lello. Third place honours were won by Canberra Poetry Slam newcomer Nikesh. Prizes were donated by the good people at Burley Journal, Block Journal and Express Media.
The slam scene in Canberra continues to unearth new and young talent, this month Gabriela Falzon stepped up with her poems of brazen teenage sexuality.
Overall the standout performer on the night was Varisht, his performance enhanced as he read his poetry with a previously unseen vigor over the top of the Kooky Fandango's funky shapes.
All in all it was a great night.
Saturday Night
I arrived at the Yours and Owls Poetry Slam unsure of what to expect. Here was another funky gallery/bar that also served hot meals.
The slam was of exceptional quality despite it's infancy and was followed by an open mic session (and heavy drinking). The drinking was so heavy that while one related audience member had his wine glass filled, his chair fell through the floor.
My set lasted around 25 minutes. It received laughs, applause and gasps of shock horror, at mostly appropriate times.
The night was recorded by attending poet/scriptwriter Harrison Engstrom and a podcast is hosted on his blog which can be found here.
The pod cast features poems from Laura E Goodin and Lorin Reid, as well as a part recorded song from Mark Matic, Wollongong singer/songwriter.
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